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No. 750,226. 'PATENTED JAN. 19, 1904. v G. F. RUTTMAN. OFFICE INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8. 1903.

K0 MODEL.

I Will be in 0T 72 I I I, a M Allonpys UNITED STATES Patented anuary '19, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

OFFICE-INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 750,226, dated January 19, 1904.

Application filed July 8, 1903. Serial No. 164,730. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. RUTTMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Valparaiso, in the county of Saunders and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and useful Office-Indicator, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to oflice-indicators.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide means for confining within a given space a maximum number of indicator characters.

Another object is to provide a device of the character described which will be cheap, durable, and easily manipulated.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be specifically set forth in the following description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device complete. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the device, and Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a portion of the device with the front removed. 7

In carrying out the invention it is at present contemplated to employ a box or case 1, having a removable lid or cover 2, provided with a transverse slot 3 therein, through which the indicator characters will 'be visible. An endless belt i is illustrated as being confined within the box, and in order that the belt can be conveniently manipulated to cause the proper characters to appear opposite the opening or slot 3 in the box suitable rollers 5, 6, 7, and 8 are provided, around which the belt passes. The master-roller, or the one journaled in the side walls of the box at one end of the latter and designated by the numeral 5, is approximately twice as large in diameter as the two rollers 6 and 7, disposed at the opposite end of the box and between which the belt passes in the form of a loop 9, extended upward between the outer portions of the belt and having its looped end passed around roller 8, arranged a short distance from the roller 5 and directly in alinement with the latter. From this arrangement it is apparent that a belt of maximum length compared to the internal area of the box may be employed. The rollers 5, 6, and 7 are journaled in stationary bearings, while the ends of the roller 8 are provided with terminal reduced portions 10, seated in longitudinal slots 11, formed, respectively, in the side plates 12, said terminals being designed to bear upon tensionsprings 13, situated in recesses 14, formed in the side walls of the box beneath the plates 12. These recesses 14 are formed entirely across the side boards transversely and are closed at their opposite ends by the front and rear walls, respectively, of the box, thereby permitting free access to the springs when the parts of the casing are disconnected, but normally wholly inclosing the springs to protect the same from dust or otherwise becoming injured. The end of the master-roller is provided with an angular terminal 15, to be engaged by a suitable key by which the roller is turned to move the belt for bringing the indicator characters successively into view, which arrangement at the same time prevents unauthorized operation of the device.

In practice it is at present contemplated to form the yielding tension devices of bowed springs, one end of each spring being fast to the box and the other ones free to move freely with the movement of the roller 8. The springbearings or tension devices will relieve any strain to which the belt would be subjected; but at the same time the belt will be kept at the'required tension.

16 designates a suspension-loop attached to the rear wall of the .casing and projecting slightly above the same, with its projecting end perforated for engagement with a nail or other device to suspend the indicator for use.

I claim In an indicator, the combination with a casing comprising side walls having their inner faces recessed and front and rear walls bear- .ing upon the edges of the side walls-and closing the ends of the recesses, of substantially U-shape springs seated one in each of the recesses, plates attached to the inner faces of the side walls for closing the recesses and inclosing and retaining the springs in the latter,

said plates being provided with longitudinal In testimony that I claim the foregoing as bearing-slots, a tens1on-rollerhavmg JOUI'IIELlS my own I have hereto :Lflixed my signature in extencllng through the bearing-slots and restthe presence of two wltnesses.

ing on the springs, a master-roller and guide- CHARLES F. RUTTMAN. 5 rollers journaled Within the casing, and an encl Witnesses:

less belt passed around the master and guide JOHN B. HEMPHILL,

rollers and engaging the tension-roller. JUL. PETERMICHEL. 

